Backgrade to WinXP over Win7

[gerrard]

Please post back a screenshot of your maximized Disk Management drive map and listings:

1. Type Disk Management in Start Search box.
2. Open Disk Mgmt. window and maximize it.
3. Type Snipping Tool in Start Search box.
4. Open Snipping Tool, choose Rectangular Snip, click New, draw a box around full drive map and all listings.
5, Save Snip, attach using paper clip in Reply Box.

Tell us what is on each partition.

I attach the file from printscreen.

 

[gregrocker]

If the problem is that you cannot see the data on the 16gb partition then assign it a letter by right clicking on the partition in Disk Mgmt, same as here: Drive Letter - Add, Change, or Remove in Windows 7 - Windows 7 Forums

Be aware that the System boot files are apparently on the 16gb partition so it cannot be deleted without first marking XP Active and running an XP Repair Install, or from the Repair Command Line running bootrec /fixmbr and bootrec /fixboot.

But I would avoid this by simply leaving the 16gb as it is with a drive letter.

 

[gerrard]

If the problem is that you cannot see the data on the 16gb partition then assign it a letter by right clicking on the partition in Disk Mgmt, same as here: Drive Letter - Add, Change, or Remove in Windows 7 - Windows 7 Forums

Be aware that the System boot files are apparently on the 16gb partition so it cannot be deleted without first marking XP Active and running an XP Repair Install, or from the Repair Command Line running bootrec /fixmbr and bootrec /fixboot.

But I would avoid this by simply leaving the 16gb as it is with a drive letter.

Meanwhile I made 16 GB drive 'C' and formatted, so XP remaining 'F'. I hope the change of letters does not make problems. And I can see both partitions, of course.

 

[gregrocker]

Because I couldn't exactly translate but had to guess, I did not see which partition is labeled "Boot" as that shows where XP is actually installed.

XP couldn't really be on the 16gb partition without a drive letter so I assume it is on E. Does E say "Boot" on it?

But unless you ran the XP installer from another partition XP should install to C as it always does if installed from boot.

You cannot change the OS drive letter without ruining the OS.

If forced to reinstall I would this time back up your files with a rescue disk if necessary, then delete all partitions, create and full format a new one to reinstall.